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How long do you think DIY arcades will continue as a hobby?
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shponglefan:
I was thinking about how it seems like we're in a bit of a golden age for the DIY arcade hobbyist.  Not only from a software side (I don't think I could have believed something like MAME would exist), but also a hardware side.  We have all these entrepreneurs continuing to innovate and come up with all these hardware solutions that make a lot of what we do possible.  Even having started out about a decade ago building CPs, I couldn't imagine the plethora of options these days.

But I have a feeling it's not sustainable in the long run.  Most of what fuels this DIY arcade industry is those who grew up with arcades.  The "arcade" generation of the late 70's, 80's and early 90's has grown up and are now fueling this niche industry.  But like all nostalgia cycles, it eventually will run out.  And there's nobody to take their place.  So I imagine that in a decade or two, we could start seeing a dramatic decline both for this hobby and industry.

A little sad to think about, but it makes me appreciate things now moreso.
jenzett:
yeah you are probably right about that... kids nowadays  most likely will not be able to appreciate arcade cabinets, since they a) are practically nonexistent and b) video games are easily and "for free" accessible anywhere, anyplace.

When I was young, arcade cabinets were something really special to me, especially since they were not allowed to be played by minors in Germany and therefore I only was able to play them on holidays abroad, what made it just more special.

Me and my brother would often save up change for the last day of holiday and try to play through Metal Slug or other arcade games... really fun times and the reason I now design and build my own cabinet... maybe when I have children of my own, they will consider arcade cabinets as special as I do
CoryBee:
I was only ever able to play arcades at the liquor store down the street from me, I am 24 now, there were 3 -4 and the owner switched them out every 6 months to a year. I remember playing Metal Slug all day, the guy behind the counter hated my brothers and I because we would bring it a ton of loose change, mostly pennies, to change into quarters.

I know I will be building MAME cabinets for some time, for customers and for my nieces and nephews. Maybe my own kids one day, so there will be that. They will still be around when all you old folks can't lift a hammer anymore, just not as much I suppose. Hopefully our kin will pick up the trade and impress their friends and family with the super "old school" video games.
DeLuSioNal29:
That's why it's important to have kids and teach them to play the classics. :-)
ark_ader:
It is burned deep in our culture, and with movies like Wreak it Ralph, just keeps the nostalgia alive.

Next year I will find a retired cabinet maker and get him to make flat pack arcade cabinets and sell them at $100, but in bulk.

There will always be a market for them, since it is such a chore making it yourself, especially if you live in an apartment.

Especially if you make them apartment/wife/wallet friendly.

We need to keep people like Randy and Andy busy making money and coming up with new arcade innovations.   :cheers:
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